Paul Rogers: No warm welcome for pesky insects

Sunday

Dec 2, 2012 at 6:00 AM

"Where is the best place to store firewood for use over winter?”

Well-seasoned firewood is best stored conveniently close to the house undercover. Do not stack the wood against the wall of any wooden building, for the wood may contain carpenter ants, bark borers or other wood-eating pests. You do not wish them to transfer from the firewood to any structure.

By the same token, do not bring into your home any more wood than will be used in one day's burning. The indoor warmth could cause dormant insects to wake up from their winter sleep and begin to roam about the room.

Not only can it be expected that insects found within the wood move about after awakening, but also wood that has been stored outside for a year or more is likely to have a variety of pests such as earwigs hiding in the woodpile for protection that it affords.

From experience, some homeowners make it a practice to debark firewood before it is carried indoors. It is the bark that has dried and is only loosely attached that most often hides hitchhiking pests. Kindling wood is potentially less likely to harbor a population of pests.

Have you had the chimney inspected before use? Chimney fires occur too frequently because of faulty chimney liners or blocked flues. Observe all safety precautions to keep you and your family safe.

We have endured the earlier invasions of Oriental ladybugs, Western conifer seed bugs and various weevils. Avoid, if possible, setting the stage for a new round of invaders.